Western 'direct presence' in Yemen hints at escalation: Al-Qahoum

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
1 Sep 2023 00:36
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Member of the Political Bureau of Ansar Allah, Ali Al-Qahoum, stresses that Yemen will not allow a prolonged stay for Western agents on Yemeni soil, especially given its strategic location and its capabilities to liberate all its territories.

Member of the Political Bureau of Ansar Allah, Ali Al-Qahoum, speaks to Al Mayadeen, on August 9, 2023. (Al Mayadeen)

Member of the Political Bureau of Ansar Allah, Ali al-Qahoum told Al Mayadeen that the direct presence of US Forces in Yemen is "contrary to international law."

Al-Qahoum stressed that the presence US in Yemen is considered a "dangerous indicator," hinting toward a new series of aggression and an escalation of the blockade amid the ongoing conspiracy against Yemen.

Al-Qahoum pointed out that US presence reveals "premeditated intentions and preparation for an upcoming military escalation." Moreover, al-Qahoum highlighted that the US presence in Yemen also serves as a buffer between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, hoping to prevent any miscalculation between the two countries.

The official further explained that public anger and the intensification of the conflict between "the local [Yemeni] pawns that have absolute loyalty" to the Emiratis with those loyal to the Saudis, in the occupied Yemeni territories, "are behind the direct American presence."

Al-Qahoum also said that the direct American presence "aims at creating a new reality on which dangerous and persistent conspiracies have been built" against Yemen, its land, its people, and the entire region.

Significantly, the military bases being built by US, UK, and French troops in Hadramout, Shabwa, Al-Mahra, Bab al-Mandab, and Socotra are intended to sustain the "direct presence" of these Western forces in strategic and significant areas across Yemen.

Al-Qahoum also dubbed the process as "proactive" saying these troops' positioning is strategic, not only vis-a-vis Yemen, but the whole region, given that it "possesses a large maritime border that encompasses the most important waterways and is a key partner in international agreements for the protection of international maritime navigation, and its position is clear and stated and its vision of peace is clear and open."

Additionally, al-Qahoum addressed Western forces in Yemen saying "that combating terrorism is one of the priorities of the Yemeni State, together with the military, security forces and the judiciary."

Al-Qahoum then reaffirmed Yemen's position, saying terrorist elements present in Yemen such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS have been produced in the West and spread with Western "care and support," both in Yemen and across the region.

The official then concluded, saying that "Sanaa, state and leadership, are closely monitoring the direct American and Western presence that is contrary to all international norms and laws and that the presence will not be prolonged and will not remain, whatever the justification."

Sanaa: Coalition hindered negotiations, last chance for mediation

The Secretary of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen, Yasser al-Houri, told Al Mayadeen, on August 17, that "the continued hesitation of the Saudis and subsequently, the Americans, regarding assuming responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Yemen, is the reason for the stalled negotiations throughout the previous stage."

Al-Houri also stressed that "Sanaa's position is clear toward peace and a peaceful solution in Yemen," stressing that the primary path toward this peaceful solution must undoubtedly be through addressing the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Moreover, the official saw that "it is not in the interest of anyone in the region to return to military confrontations," emphasizing that "the Yemeni people are pressuring the leadership to resolve the situation."

The Secretary of the Supreme Political Council of Yemen noted that "as the days pass, the opportunity for a political solution narrows as the leadership cannot remain idle in the face of the aggravation of the suffering of the Yemeni people due to the ongoing aggression and blockade."